Inside / À l’intérieur (2007)

One of the most creative (and disgusting) horror films ever created, Inside is a worthy addition to Europe’s art-house library. It’s been four months since photojournalist and pregnant wife, Sarah (Alysson Paradis) narrowly escaped the car crash in which her husband was killed – the memories still haunt her but she lives with the solace of knowing that their unborn child still lives within her. On Christmas Eve as she awaits for her mother to arrive and bring her to the hospital, a mysterious woman knocks on her door and seems to know everything about her life. The stranger (a terrifying Beatrice Dalle) wants inside the house to claim something very precious to her and she will do whatever it takes to get in. Like most French horror films, it’s as emotionally dense as it is violent. Dalle’s femme fatale character will be a cult favourite and the directors should be admired for never holding back anything (and I mean anything) from their audience. Haunting and beautiful, it’s a must-see for any horror fan, as long as they can stomach the psychotic maternal battle between these two women. Much like High Tension and other European gorefests, Inside is riddled with suspense and the directors have achieved an unforgettably unsettling work of creativity and unrelenting violence. Viewer beware… and be sure to check out the amazing special features – * * * *